Former Tremendous Eagles captain John Mikel Obi has known as for sweeping modifications within the Nigeria Soccer Federation (NFF) board if the nationwide staff fails to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Nigeria’s qualification hopes are hanging by a thread after the Tremendous Eagles had been held to a 1-1 draw by South Africa’s Bafana Bafana on Tuesday.
The staff should now win its remaining two fixtures in October to face an opportunity of securing a playoff spot.
Talking on the Obi One Podcast on Thursday, the ex-Chelsea midfielder warned that lacking a second consecutive World Cup can be catastrophic for Nigerian soccer and devastating for the followers.
“I really feel for the folks of my nation. For the second time working, we’re not going to qualify for the World Cup. Does something change if you happen to don’t? It has to,” Mikel mentioned.
The 2013 Africa Cup of Nations winner insisted that the NFF management, headed by Ibrahim Gusau, should take duty and resign if the staff fails to achieve the event.
“If we don’t make it to the World Cup, I simply suppose the entire board of the NFF must go. Twice in a row we don’t qualify, one thing is incorrect. A drastic change must be finished,” he declared.
Mikel additionally criticized the shortage of motivation and poor situations offered for gamers when on worldwide obligation, stressing that the management failure on the high is the foundation of the issue.
“Sure, the gamers must take duty, however the largest downside is from the highest. If the federal government need to get entangled, they must get entangled as a result of it’s not acceptable,” he added.
Regardless of his frustrations, the previous Tremendous Eagles skipper urged followers to proceed backing the staff because the dream stays alive.
Nigeria didn’t qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar after a painful elimination by Ghana.
Within the ongoing 2026 qualifiers, the Tremendous Eagles sit third in Group C with 11 factors, behind South Africa (17) and Benin Republic (14). Rwanda are additionally tied on 11 factors however maintain a superior purpose distinction.
Nigeria will face Lesotho and Benin in October, with elimination looming if outcomes don’t go their means.
